Tennis Elbow Cure ??

[Ricey155]

Hi all

ive started getting real bad Tennis Elbow from playing squash and Badders

ive got a Epi support is there any cure or exercise for curing the dam thing ??

ive got a powerball but that seems to make it worse


help please

[Lefty]

If you play all 3 of those sports its likely that your technique is crossing over between them, putting extreme strain on your arm. The difference in size and weight between a tennis racket and a badminton racket is huge so you can hit certain shots in autopilot and reflex wristy flicks can hurt lots in tennis!

I avoid playing tennis, but occasionally play squash.

When I had problems with my elbow (it was golfers elbow, just a different ligament) I booked an appointment with my GP and asked for some physiotherapy. It took about 2 weeks for an NHS physio to get in touch to book my first appointment but after that, you agree a schedule of visits usually a day or two apart.

The physio understood that I couldn't just "sit out for 3 months" so focused on performing ultrasound (painless) in each session and some other massages (these can be quite painful). It was by no means a quick fix or a cure (no such thing exists short of steroid injections...don't even go there!!!) but it definitely helped. I cut down on my badminton games per week a bit and worked on my backhand technique (it was flawed so this is where I was developing the injury)

I guess it took between 1-2 months to start feeling confident to do insane backhands again without agrravating the problem! The best thing was it was all free on the NHS. Every moans about the NHS but I've had nothing but great service every time I need something. Then again, I take care of myself, unlike most of the boozing, smoking, obese burdens on society! :mad:

Hope that helps!

[Ricey155]

cheers lefty i'll keep it in mind, mine doesnt hurt to much when im golfing

the epi support work but id rather play without it, 35 yrs old shouldnt need a support just yet


:D

[Lefty]

I've never played golf but thats just the common name for that ligament injury!

Just shows how relatively unknown badminton is compared to sports like golf! I say lets campaign for getting "badminton knee" recognised in the medical and sporting profession! ;)

[Moose]

well, the ever-ready R.I.C.E theory holds. i have picked up numerous injuries in my time and have only recently started doing some strength training to stop them. wrist curls are good for the wrist (surprisingly!) and then things like bicep curls and tricep kick-backs. i am no expert, but they have helped in the past. i also used to get a lot of ankle problems - i found that balancing on one leg for x number of minutes/seconds helped that a lot. you could prob do the same for your tennis elbow - assume the press-up position and hold it for a limited time. as to how long and in what number...... i am still working that out! find a physio, i am just doing it from books etc.

[ObiWan]

Some good points here.
Strengthening the muscle around the injury and physiotherapy are always good remedies.Avoid injections and surgery at all costs.
As I have been playing 4 sports(badminton,tennis,squash,table tennis) for the last 3 years I have some
valid experience here,both my own and various opponents.
After 9 months of multi racket activity I had developed pretty bad tennis elbow and was visibly flinching when hitting tennis backhands during the warm up and in a lot of pain after a match.Exercises and physio helped but I realised that the main cause was poor technique on my tennis forehand,specifically my swing was too fast and jerky(like a table tennis loop).Once I got my technical problems sorted,the tennis elbow gradually disappeared.Gripping the racket too tightly(any sport) is also a major cause of this sort of injury.
So,relax your grip and work on a smooth,technically correct swing.
I was given some interesting feedback by a swedish opponent who was also a physiotherapist.Instead of feeling around my elbow,he went under my armpit where he found significant tension and knotting of muscle.
Tension around the shoulder can frequently manifest itself as elbow pain.Again,this is normally down to 'forcing' the tennis serve or badminton smash rather than relying on smooth technique.
Lefty,you are spot on about the 'crossover'effect.Constantly changing between different size grips/weight of rackets is a killer.Tennis is the worst,I don't seem to suffer much between squash and badminton.
My advice is keep it smooth,and stick religiously to any series of exercises the physio recommends.
Lots of Ibuprofen 400mg also helps,I'm virtually a shareholder in the company!!

[pumpkin]

rest, ice, lots of eccentric loading so loads of push ups against the wall, correct ur swing, lots of stretches with your wrist flexed and avoid activites that are causing re-inflammation. Most people who think they have tennis elbow actually have symptoms from the radial nerve but if your pain has clear aggravating factors, eased by rest and not constant then probo is. . . .

[Ricey155]

amazing but my squash game has come on loads last few games mainly due to zero amounts of power and using more touch and position

still have the odd flash of power but nothing major

compression bandage, deep heat, and epi support (time to retire lol)


cheers for the info i'll try anything to get it sorted, cricket season soon glad it doesnt affect that so far